Page 17 of Killer Knows Best

Someone out there knows something. But I have a feeling they’re not going to have their nose pressed between the pages of a book.

12

SPECIAL AGENT JACK STONE

The Blue Creek Public Library isn’t what I expected. No musty bookshelves or cranky librarians who shush you the second you step through the door. It’s clean, modern—and perhaps a touch too much of both.

The air smells like fresh coffee from the café tucked away in the corner. And the soft hiss of the espresso machine and quiet hum of patrons as they shuffle about fill the silence. Rows of pristine bookshelves stretch out like paper soldiers on parade, each one lined with miles of titles that would take me two lifetimes to read.

Fallon strides beside me, and every now and again I catch the warm scent of her perfume, something sweet with musk layered underneath. Feminine yet strong, just like her. And, of course, Buddy trots happily at our side as if he’s right at home here.

The librarian at the front desk melts on cue when she sees him and quickly tells us it’s fine to bring him in. Libraries love dogs, apparently. She even offers him a treat, which he accepts without hesitation because he’s smart and typically hungry.

“Don’t get too comfortable, Bud,” Fallon says as she gives him a scratch behind his ears. “We’re not here for story time.”

Buddy glances up at her with an expression that suggests otherwise.

“I think he’d beg to differ,” I say. “Story Time with Jack and Fallon.” I tick my head at the thought. “I bet we could pen a bestseller.”

She arches a dark brow, and it takes everything in me not to steal a kiss right here.

“An FBI thriller with a side of steam?” she teases.

“I’m in,” I say, trying to resist the grin tugging at my lips. “Think of all the research we’ll have to do. I hear a hot tub is a good place to start.”

“What is this obsession you have with my hot tub?” she says, stepping in close and I catch her gently by the waist and close the distance between us. She doesn’t object, and it only makes the smile I’m holding back fight twice as hard to break through. She smirks my way. “I’m starting to think I’m a means to an end when it comes to hot water.”

“And I have a feeling if I engage in this conversation, I’ll find myself in exactly that, hot water.”

She cocks her head at Buddy. “He’s perceptive.” She strides back to the librarian, a shorter woman with a shock of dark hair and a stocky build with a beige cardigan covering most of her body. Fallon flashes her badge. “I’m here to ask about Delaney Riggs. I understand she worked here.”

The woman gasps, any trace of pleasantries is quickly replaced with horror. “I heard what happened. We all did. I didn’t know her too well. She worked in the conference room and helped run the discussion circuit. In fact, two of the women she worked with closely are there now, Phillis and Brenda. They just finished up with a book signing.”

We thank her and head through the lobby, past the rows ofbookshelves until we hit the back of the facility where the conference rooms are located. We reach the glass-walled conference room where the smell of fresh wood polish hits us, as a large mahogany table sits to the right. There’s a mock stage near the front with a podium, and to the left of that are tables set out with stacks of books on them. Just in front of that are rows and rows of folding chairs, an ample amount to house a large audience, and the north wall is lined with tables that have empty platters and a corner that caters to coffee and tea.

Two women sit at the long table, heads bent together over a stack of pamphlets and some books.

The first is a tall redhead whose locks are bright and look freshly dyed. Her lipstick is matching, and it offers her a cartoon appeal that I’m sure she wasn’t going for.

The other woman is boxier and her dark hair is streaked with silver. She has more of an easy-going, put-together vibe. They both look up as we approach.

“Hello, ladies,” I say as we step on it. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’re here to ask you a few questions about Delaney Riggs.” I flash my badge and Fallon does the same. “Special Agent Stone.”

“Special Agent Baxter,” Fallon says. “And this is honorary agent, Buddy.” She gives him a pat and both ladies loosen up with a nervous laugh. Can’t say I blame them. There’s not a person on the planet who’s thrilled to have a badge thrown in their face, but somehow Buddy does his best to calm their nerves.

The redhead stands. “I’m Phillis Hazelwood.” She offers a tight-lipped smile. “Of course, you can ask us whatever you need. If there’s anything we can do to help, we won’t hesitate.” She offers a sideways glance to the brunette by her side.

“I’m Brenda Billings.” The brunette offers an easy smile, but the edges of her lips are quivering. Also not an anomaly whenwe speak to the general population. I don’t hold nerves against anyone whom we come to question. It’s human nature. Definitely not an admission of guilt. If anything, it’s to the contrary. “Please take a seat. The news about the poor girl spread like wildfire this morning. We’re both in such shock. She was one of the librarians who helped facilitate the discussion circuit.”

“So we’ve heard,” Fallon says as we take a seat across from them. Buddy plops down at Fallon’s feet, already making himself at home and both women offer him a forlorn smile.

“I love dogs,” Phillis is quick to say. “We had a golden retriever ages ago.” She glances at Brenda. “It was Maddie’s. She had him since he was a puppy.” Her features harden as she looks our way. “Maddie was my daughter. She passed a few years back.”

“We’re sorry to hear that,” I say and Fallon offers a solemn nod in agreement.

“Thank you,” the redhead says quietly. “Maddie was the inspiration for this.” She taps a stack of hardcover books sitting next to her. The cover depicts a sky brimming with clouds and the wordsInto the Ether with Lovewritten in raised silver foil. “But that’s not what you came for.” She pulls her lips back as if initiating a smile that doesn’t quite take. “You have questions about Delaney.”

“So, you knew her?” Fallon asks, pulling out her phone and poising her fingers to take notes if need be.

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